Big Start to 2nd Semester as Basketball Takes Down #7 ACPHS

It is always an unknown quantity each year as to how Williamson's basketball team will open the second semester of play after not having played a game in almost a month.  Turns out the rest did this year's team good, as they upset the #7 ranked USCAA Division II team in team Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences 68-56 on Friday afternoon.

Williamson found themselves trialing 4-0 to start the game, before an 8-0 run put them up by 4.  The team would go back and forth before Williamson would make a run to go up by 14 at 31-17 with 2:54 left in the half.  They would stretch it to 35-19 before going into the break up 35-21.

The Panthers came out fired up early in the second half and hit two quick three pointes to pull to within eight in less than a minute to start the half.  Sadly for them though, that is as close as they would get the rest of the way. 

Williamson would settle down, with their defense leading the way.  Meanwhile, their offense picked things up and they would stretch the lead to 20 points at 47-27 with 14:54 left.  The Panthers kept battling though and got it to within nine at one point, but the Mechanics always had an answer and proved to be just too much on the day. 

Williamson's defense was outstanding as they held the visitors to just 31.6% shooting from the field.  They also forced 16 turnovers, while turning the ball over just a mere six times themselves! They also blocked six shots and added seven steals.

Offensively, Williamson had four players reach double figures.  Rob Wiley and Ronald Johnson both had 17 points, while Liam Rardin added 13 and A'Jaad While added 12.  Johnson also added 12 rebounds and two assists.  White added 10 rebounds, and three blocks.

The win moves Williamson to 11-6 on the year. They get right back into action tomorrow at Luzerne County College in a 112:00 P.M. start.